Politics

Madan Mitra taken to hospital for check up, BJP raises doubt

Kolkata/New Delhi, Jan 03 (ANI): West Bengal Minister and TMC leader Madan Mitra, arrested by the CBI in the Saradha scam case, was taken to SSKM hosiptal for a check-up on Saturday. Reacting over this, BJP Leader Sambit Patra raised doubts and said that Mitra is trying to evade law.

Jan 3, 2015

Nation's progress linked to science and technology: PM Modi

Mumbai, Jan 03 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said a nation's progress and its human development are linked to science and technology which can also remove national barriers, unify the world and advance peace. Modi while addressing the 102nd session of Indian Science Congress at the Mumbai University also said that science may be the product of human brain but it is also driven by the compassion of human heart. Stating that he felt honoured to participate in the event, the Prime Minister added that he found science and technology an invaluable ally in governance and development.

Jan 3, 2015

Rajnath Singh says Pak govt should take steps to stop ceasefire violation

Surajkund, Jan 03 (ANI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday that Pakistan government should take appropriate steps to stop the continuing ceasefire violations along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh said that PM Narendra Modi, after being elected as the Prime Minister, had given a strong message of friendship towards Pakistan along with all neighbours and if still Pak violates ceasefire, it should stop them. He added that even though Pakistan has to face retaliation every time it violates ceasefire, still it continues to do so.

Jan 3, 2015

Security beefed up in Gujarat after Pakistani boat blows off, killing four

Gujarat, Jan 03 (ANI): Security has been beefed up at Porbandar and Gir Somnath coasts in Gujarat after a Pakistani fishing boat laden with explosives bound for India blew up, after the Indian coast guard tried to stop and search it. All four people on board the boat were killed in the explosion. Indian intelligence said the crew was planning "an illicit transaction" when the vessel was intercepted on New Year's Eve in the Arabian Sea, 365 km off the western coast, according to a government statement. The Indian Coast Guard chased the Pakistani boat for almost an hour and fired warning shots before it stopped. The crew hid below the deck and set the boat on fire. It was not possible to independently verify the Indian account. Authorities have stepped up vigil at Gir Somnath district, including the famous Somnath temple, along with the coastal areas. Meanwhile, security was stepped up at the Porbandar coast also. Reacting to Friday’s incident, Pakistan's foreign ministry said it was unclear whether the incident had happened at all.

Jan 3, 2015

Tourists rejoice as Shimla gets fresh spell of snow

Shimla, Jan 03 (ANI): Kufri hill station in Himachal Pradesh turned into a picturesque landscape as it received fresh snowfall bringing much delight to tourists. The higher reaches, including Narkanda, Kharapathar, Sangla, Pangi, Rohthang, and Kelong, received about 15 centimeters of snowfall, while mid and lower hills witnessed widespread rains plummeting the temperatures. A large number of tourists were seen enjoying the weather. Some of them were excited to see the thick blanket of snow in surrounding areas for the first time. Met Director of Himachal Pradesh, Manmohan Singh, said maximum temperature dropped by four points to seven degrees Celsius across the state following fresh snowfall. The state capital Shimla received 9 mm of rain and 2 cm of snow while the lower areas of the state had widespread moderate rain.

Jan 3, 2015

Villagers live in fear as ceasefire violations continue from across the border

Ramgarh, Jan 03 (ANI): Villagers living along the international border are agitated after continued ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Officials say Pakistan has resorted to heavy mortal shelling on several posts along the border. In the fresh assault, Pakistani Rangers targeted several Indian paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) posts in Ramgarh town of Jammu district early Saturday. Barota camp in Ramgarh sector also came under heavy mortar fire. An Indian soldier was killed on New Year eve when Pakistani Rangers opened fire in Samba district. The residents discovered several mortar shells lying across the village ground. The villagers also blamed the Central government for failing to protect their lives and property. This was the first time their village was hit by mortar shells from across the border.

Jan 3, 2015

Hunt on for Another Terror Vessel as Pakistan Rejects Reports

Indian authorities are on the lookout for a second suspected terror vessel near its maritime border with Pakistan.

Jan 3, 2015

Tribal woman insulted for eloping with lover, DCW says need to spread awareness

New Delhi, Jan 03 (ANI): A tribal woman in Indore was insulted and forced to breastfeed her lover with whom she eloped, on orders of the panchayat. Both the woman and her lover were first allegedly beaten up in public in the presence of villagers and then tonsured. Subsequently, the woman was stripped and her lover was forced to "wash her breasts" (breastfeed). DCW Chairperson Barkha Shukla Singh said that there was an urgent need to spread awareness in tribal areas to stop such humiliating incidents from happening.

Jan 3, 2015

Meerut Gangrape: Panchayat offers 40k cash to victim to keep silent

Lucknow, Jan 03 (ANI): In the much shocking state of affairs in Meerut gangrape case, the panchayat has offered Rupees 40,000 to the survivor to keep silent. The 19-year old victim's family alleged that the Walidpur village panchayat has offered them Rs 40,000 to suppress the matter. Meanwhile, a week after the girl was allegedly raped by four youths; police remained clueless about the whereabouts of the accused. Even as the youths remained at large, the girl's relatives alleged that they were subjected to tremendous pressure from the panchayat to remain silent about the incident. BJP's UP Unit President Laxmikant Bajpai said that any panchayat does not have the right to give a decision in matters of rape, the constitution and law will take course.

Jan 3, 2015

Maoists attack stone crusher unit in Kerala

Kerala, Jan 03 (ANI): Maoists in Kerala ransacked and set ablaze a stone crusher unit. State Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala, said the attack took place in the wee hours in Kannur district. Communist Party of India (Maoist) claimed responsibility for the attack through posters pasted at the office premises. The rebels also destroyed the office phone, fax machine, computer, CCTV cameras and window glasses before burning important government documents. The attack comes days after Chennithala's two-day visit to tribals belts in Wayanad district. The rebels have operated for decades across a wide swath of central and eastern India, and grew in strength during recent times in areas where poor, tribal villagers came into conflict with mining companies seeking resources for industrialisation.

Jan 3, 2015

Japanese tourist alleges gang rape in Bihar

Kolkata, Jan 03 (ANI): Police arrested five people after a Japanese tourist alleged gang rape in Bihar state. The police in Kolkata city of West Bengal busted a racket of miscreants, who duped Japanese tourists. Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Pallab Kanti Ghosh, said guides won confidence of Japanese tourists and some of them married Japanese girls also, with a motive to dupe them. Two of the guides then lured a Japanese woman tourist and took her to Digha and gang-raped her and looted her of rupees 25, 000. Then they took her to Gaya city in Bihar, where three more men joined them and again gang raped the Japanese tourist. The Japanese tourist alleged that she was raped on November 23, 2014 and a complaint was filed on November 26.

Jan 3, 2015

More US Sanctions on North Korea Over Sony Hack, But Will it Affect Kim Jong-un?

Obama had earlier promised a 'proportional response' against North Korea.

Jan 3, 2015

Heavy Shelling at Indo-Pak Border Leaves 1 Dead, 8 Injured

The latest ceasefire violation was the fourth by the Pakistani Rangers in as many days and the eighth in the last nine days.

Jan 3, 2015

Manipur's potential in horticulture showcased during orange festival

Manipur, Jan 3 (ANI): The annual Orange festival in Tamenglong district is to boost the morale of orange growers in the region as they bring the best of their products to win an award. This year, more than 300 orange cultivators participated with a variety of orange crops. Inaugurated by Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, the mega event helps to motivate other farmers in the region to grow oranges. The annual occasion also helps to promote tourism in the state. Folk dance troupes from different parts of the state performed enthralled the visitors. Many artists performed Pung Chalom and Thang-ta. Handicrafts stalls were also put up to promote local artisans. As part of the event, 22 girls walked the ramp for Orange Queen Beauty Pageant title. After a tough competition Kapagonglui of Tamenglong bagged the crown.

Jan 3, 2015

Three AirAsia crash victims identified

Three victims of Sunday's AirAsia crash were indentified Friday, as a crisis centre for identifying the victims was set up at a police hospital in Surabaya with facilities to store 150 bodies.

Jan 3, 2015